My wife's friend invited us and others to their house for dinner. I am lactose-intolerant. Should I take Digestive Advantage or Lactaid to prevent any trouble at their dinner table. How many of you have tried those meds for pizza, cheese rich pasta, etc?? Also raw salad or lots of butter will create big trouble for me too.

I may have to stay home. But my wife does not know how to drive. Sigh.

Why not bring a dish you can eat and explain you are on a special diet? I know for me personally the Lactaid pills caused a lot of cramping. I really think if you bring a dish you could enjoy the dinner party. Eating those foods that are bad for CD even with a pill is still going to affect your digestive track.26 year old female. Dx with UC in June 2003. Flare up in June 2006 led to CD dx. Current Meds: Remicade, Asacol, Bentyl, Phenergan, Reglan, Ultram, Celexa and Seaonale, Fish Oil, Lacto and a Multi Vitamin

"There's Hope. It doesn't cost a thing to smile; You don't have to pay to laugh; You better thank God for that!"

Lactaid works great for me. I take extra or ultra strength and take 2. Digestive Advantage has to be taken every day for a few days before it starts to work. It was not strong enough for me. When is dinner? Could you try using the lactaid w/ other dairy before that dinner to make sure it worked?? I think its fairly safe but as you know, we are all different. But, most pizza has Mozzerella which is rather low in lactose. Another reason it is safer than ice cream. Also, I eat pizza a lot and just scrape of the cheese. You can always do that and just say sorry "i can't do cheese."

26 Year old married female. Diagnosed w/ CD 3 years ago, IBS for over 10 years before that, which was probably the CD. Currently on Pentasa 4 pills/4x day, hysociamine prn, nexium, and ortho evra. Good times!!!

Thank you for your reply!!! What you said exactly echoes what my mother has told me - binging my own dish.

I am a Chinese, but now living in the USA. I thought American people might think I am odd/weird to bring my own food when we are invited for dinner. Maybe I just have to explain to them that I have Crohn's.

Another thought comes to me is that if I find nothing I can eat over their dinner table, I can slip out to eat at a nearby fast food chain. I can eat McDonald fried chicken sandwich without any problem.

You could take the lactaid pill (or 2) with your first bite of pizza and then take the digestive enzyme after you're done your meal.

I was severly lactose intolerant and had to use lactaid pills but since taking the primadophilus reuteri probiotic daily I no longer have any issues with lactose intolerance as it aids with it as well as high cholesterol (and for woman, vaginal health) but of course men can take it too.

:)My bum is broken....there's a big crack down the middle of it! LOL :)

I think the lactaid suggestions and probiotics are good, but I'd suggest you experiment with it at home. I don't see anything wrong with bringing your own food and explaining that you are on a special diet. You want to be able to relax and enjoy yourself, not have to worry about cramping and diarrhea. Explain your situation in advance, so it is comfortable for you. good luck!48 yr. old female, diagnosed with Crohn's Sept-Oct. 2007

I am not lactose intolerant but if I am iffy about the foods at a party, I explain to the person having it that I can't eat it because of my crohn's and bring my own food. I have found that as long as #1 you tell the host and #2 you are "eating" something at the party with the guests, whether or not you bring it or they made it, they don't care. =0)

I'm the type that would rather experiment at home than at a party to see if it is tummy approved.